The Björk-Shiley tilting disc valve in isolated mitral lesions.

Abstract

During the period September 1969 to August 1971, 103 consecutive patients underwent mitral valve replacement with the Bjork-Shiley tilting disc valve prosthesis. Forty-four of these patients had isolated mitral lesions. They were studied pre- and postoperatively in a long-term clinical and haemodynamic follow-up. The valve, which had a Delrin disc occluder and opened at an angle of 50°, was placed in a subannular position with isolated mattress sutures and with the larger opening directed towards the ventricular septum. Early and late mortality rates were 5 and 16%, respectively. Thrombo-embolic complications occured in 25% of the cases, half of which were without sequelae. All patients received anticoagulant treatment (Dicoumarol). Thirty-six patients were evaluated at this Clinic 6-12 months postoperatively and 30 of them were catheterized. Subjective improvement was seen in 34/36 and functional improvement (NYHA) in 30/36 patients. Careful haemodynamic evaluation revealed central circulatory improvment...